Sammy Epstein, saxes and clarinet, moved to Austin 2006 from his adopted home state of Oregon. Sammy leads Mirage Jazz Ensemble. He also co-leads Brazilian quintet Rio Novo, and leads Mazel Tov Orchestra, a Jewish "klezmer" band. In addition, Sammy returns frequently to Portland to play with the Portland edition of Mirage Jazz Ensemble, and with Portland's Mazel Tov Orchestra.

Aaron Lack – Vibraphone

Percussionist and drummer Aaron Lack has performed concerts throughout North America and Europe and has been living and performing in the Austin, Texas area since 2000. Lack has shared the concert stage with jazz greats such as Benny Green, Roy Haynes, Chuck Israels, Alex Acuna, David Friedman, David Samuels, Ndugu Chancelor, Terry Gibbs, Ken "Professor" Philmore, and Andy Narrell as well as James Brown drumming legends Jabo Starks, and Clyde Stubblefield. Lack has performed on vibraphone, drums, steelpan, congas and other percussion instruments with Robben Ford, John Primer, The Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, The Ernie Durawa Trio, The David Palmer Quartet, The Brannen Temple Quartet, Earl "Pool" Ball, The Midland(MI) Symphony Orchestra, The Golden Arm Trio, Michael Shay, The Drew Smith Band, The Invincible Czars, The Stingers ATX, Los Jazz Vatos, RokkaTone, and many more. Lack's jazz festival appearances include the Montreaux/Detroit Jazz Festival, The Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival, The Grand Rapids Arts Festival, the Austin Jazz Festival, The Texas Jazz Festival, The San Antonio Jazz Festival, and the University of Texas Jazz Festival. Lack is currently performing in the Austin area with The Organic Mechanics, The Aaron Lack Steelpan Ensemble, Aaron Lack's Vibetet, The Monstas, Mirage Jazz Ensemble, The Belltower Trio, and many other projects encompassing a broad range of musical styles.

Multi-instrumentalist Mike St.Clair has developed a reputation as a solid sideman and studio musician in genres ranging from Indie folk to Rock ‘n’ Roll, Orchestral Pop to Jazz Fusion. Hailing from Austin, TX St.Clair has toured extensively throughout the US and internationally with bands including Okkervil River, The Polyphonic Spree, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, My Jerusalem, and Nelo. Other notable projects he has been involved with include: Saint Vincent, Snarkey Puppy, What Made Milwaukee Famous, The Low Lows, and Joel Guzman. His playing has been heard on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show w Jay Leno, Conan, Showtime’s Weeds, the Mike Mills film Thumbsucker, The Polyphonic Spree’s albums "Fragile Army" and "Yes It's True," Okkervil River’s "Silver Gymnasium" and "Golden Opportunities 2 E.P.," and Nelo’s album "Nelo" and E.P. "Two Years Ago." Mike has performed at the Hollywood Bowl opening for Brian Wilson and at music festivals and legendary venues all across Europe, Australia, and the U.S.